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Sounds impossible to buy a ticket to the wrong destination, right? You’d never mistake York, England for New York State. But would you notice an airline issuing a plane ticket for Grenada instead of Granada, like British Airways did last month? Or the 1,500 mile difference between airline codes SJO and SJU? Believe it or not, these things do happen. Here, 9 commonly confused cities that should make you check your boarding card.

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Relaxation takes form in all shapes and sizes. To some, an afternoon coffee with a pastry eases away the tension better than a full-body massage. To others, being pricked in the back with dozens of needles does the trick. From skin-eating fish to dives into icy lakes, here are some of the varied techniques you can seek out on your next travels.

Japan: Sake BathFirst practiced by Japanese geishas to decrease the appearance of age and skin spots, thousands of Japanese men and women continue to experience the healing effects of the rice wine’s kojic acids, which smooth and hydrate the skin. Sake also contains a healthy mix of ginger and pine extracts that’s proven to relax muscles (or is that just the alcohol talking?) and help breathing. Japan’s Yunessun Spa Resort, 50 miles southwest of Tokyo, invites guests to soak in their giant pool of sake — or try their red wine, coffee, or green tea baths — for an all-inclusive entry fee of ¥2,800 ($28).

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Thirty years ago, we wondered if today’s world would have flying cars, hover boards, and a sports almanac that would change the sports-betting industry forever — at least that’s what “Back to the Future” told us. While those things haven’t exactly come to fruition, it seems like the only thing limiting the travel of the future is our collective imagination. Here’s a taste of what travel could look like in the not-so-distant future:

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Many countries charge entrance fees to foreign visitors – including the U.S.. When the U.S. decides to hike up prices for foreign tourists entering the country, many countries, in turn, do the same for American travelers who wish to visit them. And some of those prices can be incredibly high. Ranging from a meager $15 (Vietnam) to $275 (Nigeria) – visas can quickly eat into your travel budget.

The lesson? When you’re planning to travel to another country, always check whether you need a visa. If you’re uncertain, you can quickly search by country on VisaHQ. You can also see how much that visa costs. Streamlining the visa acquisition process, companies like VisaHQ even allow tourists to pay for their documents online and with a credit card, so you don’t have to speak with or visit a foreign embassy. Here’s a quick list of the top 20 most expensive tourist visas for American citizens: Read more

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Looking to expand your travel horizons this summer or fall? We’ve got the deals for you. From Bonaire to Bali to Bulgaria, travel outside the usual domestic or Caribbean destinations and head somewhere truly special this season – and still save in the process. Read more

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Confession: I’ve never watched any of the Die Hard films. It’s understandable as the movies are in no way marketed to me (or my gender, for that matter). Sure, every once in a while I’m as game as any guy is for a high-adrenaline action film, but I’ve never felt compelled to watch them. But, with the newest installment, A Good Day to Die Hard, the allure of having it set in Russia (a place I’m eager to visit), and filmed in Budapest, Hungary (a city I’ve heard amazing things about), makes me think twice about catching the film. Below, three reasons I’m reconsidering skipping the action-packed flick. Read more

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There’s no way around it, Moscow is pricey, and its nightlife scene is no exception – if you’re intent on painting the town red (you are just steps from the Red Square after all!), you might as well get something more than a cheap vodka buzz for the cost of your drink.

While you might not be able to dole out the big bucks for the pricey digs at these two swank Moscow hotels, there’s nothing keeping you from sampling their crowning glories. Each boasts a rooftop bar with prime panoramic perches, where, for the cost of a splurge-worthy cocktail, more budget-friendly brew, or simply a stiff drink, you can rub elbows with a motley mix of moneyed Muscovites (business tycoons, Kremlin bigwigs, celebs and pseudo-celebs – which, while I was there, came in the form of members of the Russian national soccer team), and lap up mesmerizing Moscow views that are even more intoxicating than your drink. Read more

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St. Petersburg’s Hermitage needs little introduction, with this renowned Russian jewel-box of a museum counting amongst the world’s great art collections, coming filled to the brim with more than three million invaluable works of art (which attract nearly as many annual visitors). Founded in the mid-18th century, thanks to the collecting whims of Empress Catherine the Great (and largely situated within the gilded and frescoed halls of the dazzling Winter Palace, former residence to the once-ruling Russian czars), the word on the wonders contained here is widely out, with the Hermitage top of mind for just about every tourist on the Russian circuit (myself included, during my visit earlier this month).

In order to ensure that you’ll have every second you’ll need to lap up this lavish collection (trust me, you’ll need it), I’ve whipped up some tips on maximizing your time with the masterpieces, so that you don’t spend the bulk of it waiting on line and bumping elbows instead. Plus, a few money-saving ideas for making the most of your museum budget. Read more

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Coming to St. Petersburg is a special treat for me since I was last here as a student 25 years ago, before the fall of communism. I wanted to return to see just how much the city had changed. Back then, the average person waited in line for several hours a day just to buy life’s necessities. The city was run down, without color, without any zest for life.

How times have changed. I spent a delightful five days in St. Petersburg during the “white nights” of summer, when it remains light outside until after 10pm and people can enjoy long days of walking (residents are quick to point out that the city is far more walkable than Moscow). It’s often referred to as “the Paris of the North” for good reason: both cities are bisected by a major river (the Neva standing in for the Seine), with majestic 18th-century buildings (albeit here they are often pastel colored), wide boulevards, and manicured parks. Read more

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It’s been 25 years since I was in Moscow, when I was a student of the Russian language. I wanted to return to see all the changes since the end of Communism. To start off with some context, nothing is better than a visit to The State Central Museum of Contemporary Russian History, which is commonly known by its former name, the Museum of the Revolution.

Actually the name should be plural because it covers Russia’s three 20th-century revolutions. There is the 1905 Democratic Revolution, which led to the Tsar abdicating and the election of the Duma, or parliament. World War I began, which greatly damaged the government’s credibility and helped lead to the second revolution in 1917, when the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, shot their way into power. Lenin ushered in his policies of state planning and the collectivization of farming. The museum does a great job of reviewing the good, the bad, and the ugly of this period in history. Lastly, there was the third revolution (albeit a peaceful one) when Gorbachev introduced Perestroika and began the unraveling of the USSR and communism. Read more

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For a brief few months each year, warm weather, long days, and generous vacation time opens up a world of travel possibilities. Whether you enjoy climbing the top of remote mountains, exploring breathtaking river gorges, or biking quiet backcountry roads, we’ve selected 10 spectacular outdoor adventures that are sure to get your adrenaline pumping – and earn you bragging rights, to boot. And to make sure there’s a trip to suit every taste, we’ve included a splurge option (for those who must have the most exotic and/or pampered voyage) as well as a great value (for those who don’t mind roughing it).

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W St. Petersburg opened in April this year, making it the first W Hotel in Russia and one of several new hotels to open in the city recently (Crowne Plaza, Staybridge Suites, and Courtyard Marriott also opened properties here). Located in the aptly dubbed “Venice of the North,” a network of canals lined with cathedrals and palaces and plied by gondolas, the W. St. Petersburg showcases jewel tones (inspired by Russia’s Faberge egg) and lavish touches like hanging mirrored balls in guest rooms and a fleet of luxury cars to chauffer guests around town. The 137 good-looking guest rooms, especially the suites with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking St. Isaac Square and St. Petersburg, were designed by Milan-based Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel Partners. The signature restaurant miX, bar, and rooftop lounge have menus created by Michelin-star chef, Alain Ducasse. There’s also a spa with an indoor pool and fully-equipped fitness center. Opening rates start at $258/night; 011-7-812-610-6161; www.wstpetersburg.com

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The new Radisson Royal Moscow recently debuted a fleet of specially commissioned river yachts equipped with ice breakers. This way hotel guests who visit during the city’s famously frosty winters can still glide along the Moskva River and see the sites – including the Kremlin and Christ the Savior Cathedral – even if the water freezes up.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on hotels, airfare, packages, and more travel deals.

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Bergen Railway/Rolf SorensenNorway’s Bergen Line easily makes the list of the top train trips in Europe

Train travel in the Old World maintains a certain mystique for many travelers – and it’s little wonder: With scads of culture, 47 countries packed into a region slightly larger than the U.S., and exhaustive tracks that go everywhere from the plains of Spain to the eastern fringes of Russia, Europe is tailor-made for riding the rails. Few vacations inspire as much romance and possibility as chugging across the continent, collecting new passport stamps, and taking in a diversity of landscapes – from snow-capped Alps to rich vineyards to turquoise coastline – all from the comforts of Europe’s storied locomotives. Read more